INDEPENDENCE DAY IN KNOXVILLE
This is a brief but obviously incomplete record of the locations where some of Knoxville's July 4th celebrations were held in the nineteenth century. The gaps between years is the result of the fact that this information was not obtained through a diligent and extensive search for the places and dates of these events, but through serendipity, making notes of those celebrations when researching other subjects and events in Knoxville in local nineteenth newspapers.
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1828
A July 4th, 1828 celebration was held "on Beaver Creek in Knoxville", as reported in a local newspaper.
1864
A Grand Military and Civic Ball was held at the Lamar House Ballroom to celebrate this year's Independence Day.
1869
Although not specifically related to the celebration of Independence Day, many local citizens attended John Robinson's Circus, in Knoxville on July 4, 1869. Their tents were set up at "Millikin's old farm".
1870
Knoxville's 1870 Independence Day celebration was held "on the river bank". Specific site not known, but obviously referring to the Tennessee River bank, and the place of celebration likely was somewhere near the point where Gay Street meets the river, on the north side of the river. The celebration continued in the downtown area, when the orations on were presented at the Female Institute.
1871
The Irish Mutual Benefit Society celebreated the holiday at the Fair Grounds, in east Knox County. The Welsh Sunday School went to Johnson's Grove, near S. H. Davis farm, two and a half miles from the city. A number of local colored citizens celebrated at Cane Cove, located five miles above Clinton.
1874
Civil War General Ambrose Burnside was Knoxville's honored guest during the city's July 4th holiday celebration, and a large contingent traveled by special railroad cars to that event, held at Inskip Station. By 1886, the stations on the East Tennessee, Virginia and Georgia railroad kine, north from Knoxville, were Black Oak, Powell's, and Heiskell's. At that time, Black Oak apparently was the nearest stop to what had originally been the Inskip Station.
1876
The July 4th celebration was held at the Female Institute. The South America delegation made an appearance on Main Street, in front of Perez Dickinson's residence, 200 strong. A banner was given by Mr. Dickinson to the citizens south of the river, which wass a handsome U.S. flag, on which was inscribed in gilt letters the words "South America".
1881
The Colored population celebrated with a parade that marched out Broad to the barbecue grounds, near the National Cemetery, the same grounds as used for the political barbecue last year ... near the street car stables.
1882
Very little is found in local newspapers this year. Perhaps gloom pervaded the public, since Guiteau had recently been hanged, on June 30, 1882, for the assassination of President Garfield.
1883
The annual July 4th Celebration was being held by the Cherokee Boat Club, at Cherokee Cliff. Activities included a baseball game, target shooting, a bicycle race, dancing and music.
1884
An Independence day celebration was again held at the Cherokee Cliff. Local newspapers reported that the steamer "Perez Dickinson" would transport passengers hourly to the cliff, from the Prince (Market) Street wharf.
1884
Two thousand people were in attendance to celebrate the holiday at the Sadddle and Harness Makers picnic, at Lyon's View
1885
The Cherokee Boat Club held its annual July 4th picnic at Cherokee Bluff. The annual picnic of the Saddle and Harness Makers was held at Lyon's View. The steamer Water Lily made hourly trips to and from the grounds. A baseball game for the East Tennessee championship was played at the Asylum Street grounds, between the Lone Stars of Knoxville and the Massengills of Chattanooga, at the Asylum Street Grounds.
1885
Knoxville's July 4th celebration was held at Turner Park, with a band, races, fireworks, etc.
1886
Turner Park was again a place of celebration on July 4. Crouch's band played, races, and other activities were held. Another celebration was held in Beaver Creek Valley, at the Stony Point Church. Chattanooga played the Knoxville Liebers in a baseball game at Isabella Park. "the only chance to see a game by professionals this season."
1887
The only July 4th planned public amusement for white people was held at Beaman's Lake, where thousands attended, but the crowds had to contend with rain and mud.. Crouch's Band furnished the music. Polytechnic displays took place at Elmwood, Summit Hill, and in West Knoxville. The colored people celebrated with a picnic given by the Logan Temple ME Church at Coker's Park.
1888
Crouch's Band presented an open air concert and other activities at Elmwood Park included a baseball game between the Reds and the Blues. The Cherokee Boat Club held its annual picnic at Cherokee Cliff. The Garfield Club selected Turner Park for its July 4th celebration. "The German people" celebrated at Turner's Park, under the auspices of the Turner Association. The pavilion was handsomely decorated, and 200 attended the festivities. African Americans, including many who arrived by train, enjoyed speeches, dancing and amusements at Luttrell's Park.
1889
A large portion of Knoxvile's population spent July 4 at Beaman's Lake and Elmwood Park. The Knoxville Rifles, headed by Crouch's Band, marched along Gay Street then took the dummy line to the park. The dummy line ran two trains, and "all the carriages and hacks were at disposal".
1890
A celebration was held at Lake Ottosee, including a balloon ascension and daylight fireworks. Simultaneous July 4th celebrations were held on that same day, one for the white population at Lake Ottosee, and the other in the adjoining section, at Elmwood Park, " .. where the colored people had a friendly slugging match and picnic, closing with a nighttime dance." The Welsh picnic held at Fountain Head Park. The Deppens and Reds played a baseball game at the baseball park.
1892
Five thousand people were at Fountain City Park for the July 4 celebration, sponsored by the GAR. The Journal estimated that more than 30,000 people attended the July 4th. celebration at Lake Ottosee on the same day.
1894
Independence Day celebration held at Fountain City Park, under the auspices of the Grand Army of the Republic. The new Fountain City Lake had just been filled. July 4 was the opening day of the Knoxville Jockey Club races, held at Johnson's Race Track, south of the river. Two thousand spectators went to the races, the track that had been originally developed in 1880 as the New Fair Grounds Another attraction this year was Knoxville's first bicycle race, from Fountain City and back, won by Elmore Godfrey. .
1895
The local Colored population celebrated the Fourth at Glenwood Grove on July 4, 1895.
1896
Independence day celebrations were held at various locales. One thousand people were at the celebration at Lake Ottosee. Hourly boat trips carried passengers across the river to Riverside Park to celebrate. Newspapers reported that throngs were at the Fountain City Park for fireworks, bands, etc. Because of bad weather, races at Johnson's Race Track, south of the river, were canceled, as was a planned meet of the Marble City Wheelmen, an association of colored bicyclists.
1897
The Journal reported " a picnic for the colored people was given by the Logan Temple Methodist Church, at Coker's Park", where orations by Judge Houk and noted colored orator J. C. Price of Salisbury, North Carolina, were presented
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